Bupa Health Insurance Review
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BUPA Health Insurance
Bupa, or the British United Provident Association, is a leading international healthcare group with its origins in the UK. Established in 1947, Bupa was founded by a group of provident associations who wanted to provide better healthcare to their members. Today, Bupa operates in more than 190 countries and has over 31 million customers worldwide. Bupa’s range of services includes health insurance, dental care, home healthcare, and clinics, focusing on delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. Bupa also operates care homes for the elderly and provides occupational health services to businesses.
With a long history of innovation and commitment to improving healthcare, Bupa is a trusted name in the health insurance industry. It continues to be a leader in providing comprehensive healthcare services to individuals and organisations worldwide.
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How does Bupa health insurance work?
Bupa health insurance provides a range of policies for individuals, families, and businesses that cover eligible healthcare expenses. Policyholders pay a monthly premium, and in exchange, Bupa covers the costs of eligible healthcare expenses, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Bupa also provides additional services, such as specialist referrals, diagnostic tests, and essential access to online health assessments.
Bupa offers a 5% discount for individual policies and a 10% discount for family and business policies. Bupa’s policies can be tailored to suit the specific needs and budgets of individual policyholders, and coverage can include access to private hospitals and specialists, as well as cover for outpatient treatment and emergency care.
Overall, Bupa’s health insurance is designed to offer peace of mind and ensure that policyholders have access to the healthcare they need when they need it.
Why choose Bupa Private Health Insurance?
Bupa Private Health Insurance is a leading provider of healthcare coverage, offering a range of policies to suit individual needs and budgets. Here are some of the key reasons why you might consider Bupa for your private health insurance:
- Top-rated cover: Bupa is known for providing top-rated cover, with policies that offer comprehensive coverage for a range of healthcare services, including consultations with specialists, diagnostic tests, and hospital treatment.
- Mental health: Bupa recognizes the importance of mental health and offers support and coverage for more mental health conditions, including therapy, counselling, and psychiatric treatment.
- Multiple plans available: Bupa offers a variety of plans to choose from, allowing policyholders to select the level of coverage that is right for them. From basic coverage to more comprehensive policies that include extras such as dental and optical cover, Bupa has the plan to suit every need and budget.
- Mobile app GP 24/7: Bupa’s mobile app provides policyholders with essential access to GP consultations 24/7, allowing them to speak to a doctor at any time of day or night, from the comfort of their own home.
- Two-tier coverage: Bupa offers two-tier coverage, allowing policyholders to choose between treatment in a private hospital or a private room in an NHS hospital. This option can be attractive for those who want to balance cost and convenience with access to high-quality care.
- Cancer drugs: Bupa offers coverage for a range of breakthrough cancer drugs that may not be available on the NHS, ensuring that policyholders have access to the latest treatments.
- Drug Therapy: Bupa’s health insurance policies provide coverage for drug therapy, ensuring that members have access to the medication they need for optimal health and wellness
- Treatment and care: Bupa’s policies cover various treatments and care options, from consultations with specialists to diagnostic tests and hospital treatment. This can provide peace of mind and reassurance that policyholders will be covered if they need medical attention.
Overall, Bupa Private Health Insurance offers a reliable and comprehensive option for those looking for high-quality healthcare coverage. With flexible plans, mental health support, and convenient access to healthcare services, Bupa is a trusted name in the industry.
Our expert says…
“Our brokers highly recommend BUPA health insurance due to its extensive coverage options, including preventive care and specialist treatments. They highlight its reputation for exceptional customer service, affordable premiums, and the ability to access a vast network of healthcare providers, making it a top choice for individuals and families.”
– Stuart Hendy, PMI expert
Customer Reviews and Ratings
Bupa is a well-known private health insurance provider in the UK, with a large customer base and many health insurance reviews and ratings on various platforms. Trustpilot is one such platform, where Bupa has an excellent rating of 4.4 out of 5, indicating that the majority of customers have had positive experiences with the company.
Positive reviews often mention Bupa’s comprehensive policy, good customer service, and strong mental health support. Customers also appreciate the convenience and accessibility of the company’s mobile app and 24/7 GP consultations.
However, there have also been some negative reviews of Bupa, with customers expressing dissatisfaction with issues such as claims processing and unexpected charges. While these negative reviews are in the minority, they do highlight areas where the company could improve its services. Let’s have a closer look into what is good about BUPA private health insurance and what can be improved.
What is Bupa Private Health Insurance particularly good at?
Bupa Private Health Insurance has received positive feedback from verified customers in several key areas, including their clear information and high level of professionalism from customer service agents, as well as the excellent medical staff they work with and the speed at which they handle claims.
Mental Health
“I have received therapy and learnt to put in place boundaries and develop independence and skills I can use to make more conscious decisions. I have benefited so much from my therapist and have been able to challenge myself and make significant changes in my life. The results are really good. Thank you so much.”
Physiotherapy
“I contacted Bupa regarding getting some advice on my neck and shoulder pain. They were easy to contact and suggest a telephone conversation with a physiotherapist, which they arranged for me straight away at a convenient time for me. After my telephone conversation with the physiotherapist, he suggested that I needed to see a physio for help…”
Cancer Treatment
“After my initial contact we BUPA I was given the okay to contact my chosen consultant for my consultation. From there he dealt with BUPA who okayed my blood cancer treatment which I am now underway with cannot fault the very high service I have received. Which has now given me peace of mind.”
What can Bupa Private Health Insurance do better?
While Bupa has received positive feedback from its customers, some have also mentioned areas for improvement. These include the cost of premiums, limitations on coverage for specific treatments, and longer wait times for some appointments. There have also been some complaints about the claims process, with a few customers reporting difficulties or delays in getting reimbursed for their medical expenses.
Despite the mixed reviews, Bupa’s large customer base and commitment to addressing customer feedback suggest that they are a reputable and trustworthy option for private health insurance. It’s important to do your own research and read reviews with a critical eye to ensure that you are selecting the best policy for your needs and budget.
Call waiting time
“Based on the amount of time I spent on the phone dealing with the various teams I would estimate no more than 10% of that time was spent talking to one of the very knowledgeable staff. The remaining 90% was spent queuing to get through. On one occasion it took an hour to get through.”
Communication
“I got a text saying I have been credited about a third of my claim, very belatedly, but, with two claims outstanding, no clue as to which one was being paid.”
Babylon App
“I like the speed at which I was able to make an appointment online. However, I was subsequently told my ID was not verified, which meant there would be a delay. I ended up going through my own GP in the end. So it all seemed a bit pointless. I still don’t know if my ID has been verified or not, so not sure if it’s worth keeping this insurance on?”
Contact our trained health insurance specialists to analyse the benefits and drawbacks of private medical insurance offered by all UK health insurance companies.
Bupa Health Insurance Plans
Bupa offers two levels of private health insurance cover for customers to choose from Comprehensive and Treatment and Care. The Comprehensive plan offers the highest level of cover, including access to private consultations and treatments, as well as mental health support and full cancer cover. The Treatment and Care policy offers a more basic health insurance cover, providing access to private hospital treatment and aftercare for specific conditions.
Bupa-By-You Comprehensive Cover
Bupa health insurance offers comprehensive cover for individuals, families and businesses. This cover includes access to private healthcare facilities and specialists, as well as a range of additional benefits and services to support your health and well-being.
Some of the key benefits of Bupa’s comprehensive cover include:
| Pre-treatment consultations | Consultations with specialists before treatment to help patients understand their options and make informed decisions. |
| Pre-treatment diagnostics | Diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, x-rays, and MRIs, help determine the best course of treatment. |
| Pre-treatment scans | Scans like CT and PET scans can help diagnose and stage cancer. |
| Comprehensive cancer cover | Coverage for all aspects of cancer care, including diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare. |
| Mental health | Coverage for psychiatric treatment, counselling, and therapy for mental health conditions. |
| Physiotherapy | Coverage for rehabilitation and physical therapy. |
| Parent Accommodation | Accommodation for parents or guardians of children receiving treatment in a hospital. |
| Inpatient and day patient | Coverage for hospital stays as either an inpatient or day patient. |
| Surgery | Coverage for medically necessary surgeries |
| Aftercare | Post-treatment care, including follow-up appointments and rehabilitation |
Bupa’s comprehensive cover does not cover certain treatments and services, such as
It’s important to note that the specific coverage and limitations of a Bupa comprehensive plan may vary depending on the policy purchased and the individual’s medical history.
Bupa Treatment and Care
Bupa also offers a Treatment and Care health insurance plan which provides a more affordable option for those who want to access private medical treatment for specific conditions. Here are some key features of the plan:
Included:
Not included:
Treatment and Care plan is a more affordable option that provides access to private medical treatment for specific conditions. It may not include all the same benefits as the Comprehensive plan, but it still offers valuable coverage for those who want to access private medical care.
Bupa By You Comprehensive Vs Bupa Treatment and Care Plans
Ultimately, the choice between a Comprehensive or Treatment and Care plan will depend on an individual’s healthcare needs and budget. Those who want a wider range of benefits and higher coverage limits may opt for a Comprehensive plan, while those who need basic cover may choose a Bupa Treatment and Care plan.
Comparison table between two plans:
| Cover features | Process | Comprehensive | Treatment and Care |
| Out-patient Consultation | Pays for consultations and diagnostic tests | ✅ | ❌ |
| Diagnostic Test | Pays for hospital charges for diagnostics | ✅ | ❌ |
| Diagnostics Scan | Pays for MRI, CT and PET scans | ✅ | ❌ |
| Treatments in Hospital | Pays for hospital stays as an outpatient, day patient and in-patient. | ✅ | ✅ |
| NHS Cash Benefits | £50 per night (max 35 nights) paid for using NHS treatment for in-patient treatments | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mental Health Cover | Pays for consultations, treatments and therapies | ✅ | ✅ |
| Outpatient Therapies | Pays for outpatient therapies like osteopathy, chiropractic and others. | ✅ | ✅ |
| Post-treatment Tests | Pays for post-diagnostic tests | ✅ | ❌ |
| Post-diagnostics outpatient consultation. | Pays for outpatient consultations post diagnostics. | ✅ | ❌ |
Contact our trained health insurance specialists to analyse the benefits and drawbacks of private medical insurance offered by all UK health insurance companies.
How much does Bupa health insurance cost?
The cost of Bupa health insurance varies depending on factors like the level of cover, age, and medical history. Generally, the more comprehensive the coverage, the higher the cost. The best way to get an accurate price is to get a quote directly from Bupa or through a broker.
Our private health insurance expert created the following pricing comparisons for two Bupa products:
| Hospital List | Excess | Cancer Cover | Treatment and Care | ComprehensiveCover |
| Essential | £100 | Full | £38.23 | £46.05 |
| Extended Choice | £100 | Full | £43.52 | £50.89 |
| Extended Choice with London Hospitals | £100 | Full | £52.04 | £59.33 |
| Essential | £500 | Full | £24.98 | £34.08 |
| Extended Choice | £500 | Full | £27.65 | £38.71 |
| Extended Choice with London Hospitals | £500 | Full | £35.11 | £47.25 |
Bupa flexible cover options
Bupa offers the flexibility to tailor your health insurance cover to suit your needs. You can choose your excess level, adjust your hospital list based on your location and select additional options such as outpatient cover or comprehensive cancer cover. Bupa also offers discounts for families and for paying annually. You can customise your plan further by adding features like a dental cover.
| Options | Descriptions |
| Excess | You can choose policy excess from £100, £150, £200, £250, £500, £1,000, or £2,000, payable once per year per policyholder. |
| Hospital List | Bupa offers three hospital lists:Essential with 245 hospitals, Extended Choice with 1,056 hospitalsExtended with Central London with 1,241 hospitals. |
| Cancer Cover | There are two options to choose from: Comprehensive– covers diagnostics, private treatment and consultations in full. NHS Cancer Cover Plus– you will be treated by the NHS if diagnosed with cancer, however, Bupa will offer fast-tracked access to cancer experimental drugs not available on the NHS. |
| Outpatient Cover | This option is only available with the Comprehensive Plan and covers outpatient consultations, diagnostics and tests: £500, £750, £1000, and Full Full Outpatient includes unlimited consultations, diagnostics and tests. |
| Dental Cover 20 | This option is available as an add-on to their health insurance policy and provides coverage for routine dental checkups, treatments, and emergencies. |
What is not covered by a Bupa health insurance policy?
With this option, The Exeter does not consider the individual’s medical history or pre-existing conditions when determining coverage or premium. This means that the individual’s medical history is not taken into account, and coverage is provided for all conditions, including pre-existing conditions, without personal medical exclusions. Premiums may be higher compared to other underwriting options as the insurer assumes a higher level of risk.
It’s important to note that Bupa operates under three different underwriting policies: moratorium underwriting and full medical underwriting.
Moratorium Underwriting
Underwriting means that pre-existing conditions are not covered for a certain period of time (typically 2 years) from the start of the policy.
Full Medical Underwriting
Means that all pre-existing conditions are assessed and either excluded or included from the policy based on medical underwriting.
Bupa’s Continued Medical Exclusion (CME)
Allows individuals with pre-existing conditions to continue their existing health insurance policy without re-underwriting, subject to certain conditions and criteria.
It’s recommended that you carefully read the policy terms and conditions to understand what is and isn’t covered before purchasing a Bupa health insurance policy.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Bupa health insurance?
Advantages
- 24/7 access to a GP helpline
- Choice of private hospitals and specialists
- Essential access to drugs and treatments not available on the NHS
- Comprehensive cover for inpatient and outpatient treatments
- Private rooms in hospitals
- Faster access to treatments and diagnostics if the comprehensive cover is chosen
Disadvantages
- Can be expensive, especially for a comprehensive cover
- Pre-existing conditions may not be covered or may have exclusions
- May have restrictions on the choice of hospital or specialist
- May require a medical examination or full medical underwriting
- May have a waiting period before certain treatments can be claimed
Where can I buy the cheapest Bupa health insurance policy?
It’s important to note that the cheapest health insurance cover may not always be the best for your individual needs, as it may not offer the coverage and benefits that you require. However, if you are looking for a Bupa health insurance policy at an affordable price, there are a few options to consider:
- Ask your broker: You can ask your broker to find the most affordable coverage for your requirements by comparing policies from other UK leading insurers
- Consider a higher excess: Choosing a policy with a higher excess can lower your monthly premiums. Just be aware that you will have to pay more out of pocket if you need to make a claim.
- Look for no-claims discounts: Some Bupa policies offer discounts for policyholders who do not make any claims during the year.
- Consider Bupa Rewards: Bupa offers rewards and discounts for healthy lifestyle choices, such as discounts on gym memberships, health checks, and online health and fitness programs. This can help you save money on your policy in the long run.
How to Claim
To claim with Bupa Private Health, you need to complete a health declaration form and have a referral from your GP. Here are the steps to follow:
Contact or visit your GP
Contact Bupa
Bupa will access your claim and confirm if its successful
Remember to always keep copies of all the documents and correspondence related to your claim. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact Exeter Health Insurance or your insurance broker for assistance
Bupa Health Insurance Review Summary
Bupa health insurance has received generally positive reviews across multiple platforms, including Trustpilot and Defaqto. Customers have praised the comprehensive coverage and range of options available, as well as the helpfulness and professionalism of the customer service team. Some negative reviews have mentioned high costs and difficulty in making claims. Overall, Bupa has a strong reputation as a reliable and best health insurance provider with a high level of customer satisfaction.
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SOURCES
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https://www.lasereyesurgeryhub.co.uk/data/cataract-statistics/
https://www.mytribeinsurance.co.uk/knowledge/private-medical-treatment-costs/
https://prohealthclinic.co.uk/blog/hip-replacement-cost-uk/
https://www.spirehealthcare.com/spire-little-aston-hospital/treatments/a-z/skin-cancer-treatment/
https://www.england.nhs.uk/2018/11/first-children-with-cancer-to-begin-treatment-with-revolutionary-car-t-therapy/
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